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By Jarret Bencks, Town Correspondent

After going three years without one, city councilors in Malden selected a new treasurer this week.

Mark Good, currently the treasurer for the Town of Walpole, was selected by the council from three finalists. The other finalists were North Andover's treasurer Jennifer Yarid, and Cathy Landry, former finance manager at Malden Catholic High School, City Councilor Greg Lucey said Wednesday.

The city has been without a treasurer since Frank Vacca resigned in January 2010, amid a scandal in which a treasury department employee pleaded guilty to embezzling over $500,000 from the city.

Good has been treasurer of Walpole since 2002, and was previously treasurer for Weston for 12 years, Lucey said. Lucey said Good's history in municipal finance, and his lengthy service in Walpole and Weston, made him a strong candidate.

"A lot of the time, you may not know what you're getting," Lucey said. "Mark interviewed very well, and his record shows stability."

The appointment was approved on an 8-3 vote by the City Council on Tuesday.

Lucey led the way in finding a new treasurer, after two previous attempts were unsuccessful. Most recently, the city offered the job to Billerica treasurer John Clark in June, but Clark turned down the offer.

Since Vacca left, the city's treasury staff of eight people has been overseen on a part-time basis by accounting firm Sullivan, Rogers and Company, Lucey said.

"Every dime that comes to the city goes through the treasurer's office, and it has a great staff, but there are some things that only the treasurer can do," Lucey said. "It's been a long process, we've been without a treasurer for three years. It's badly needed."

Lucey oversaw a five-member screening committee that sought candidates and then narrowed down finalists who were interviewed by the City Council. The committee began with 34 applicants, and narrowed the field to seven. After a round of interviews, they selected the three finalists for consideration by the council.

"I congratulate Mr. Mark Good on his new job as treasurer, and I look forward to welcoming him to Malden,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “I am also grateful to the City Council for acting on this important appointment, especially City Councilor Greg Lucey, whose leadership was critical for making this happen.”

The salary range for treasurer is $92,500 to $102,000, plus a $6,000 stipend for serving as parking clerk, Lucey said. Good will be paid $99,625, plus the stipend.